Male incontinence guard and method for manufacturing a male incontinence guard

ABSTRACT

A male incontinence guard has a fluid-impermeable backsheet, a fluid-permeable topsheet facing a user and an absorbent body arranged between the backsheet and the topsheet. The guard has a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis and a transverse extension along a transverse axis. The transverse axis divides the guard into an upper and a lower region. The upper region has a greater maximum extension along the transverse axis than the lower region. The absorbent body has primary and secondary cores arranged in a stacked configuration. The primary core has a greater area in an XY plane than the area of the secondary core. The secondary core has side edges that are at least partly generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the male incontinence guard.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. National Phase application of PCT/EP2017/067102, filedJul. 7, 2017, which claims priority to PCT/EP2017/064538, filed Jun. 14,2017, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a male incontinence guard comprising afluid-impermeable backsheet, a fluid-permeable topsheet and an absorbentbody arranged between said backsheet and said topsheet, wherein saidtopsheet faces the user when the incontinence guard is worn by saiduser, said guard having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinalaxis and a transverse extension along a transverse axis, said transverseaxis dividing said guard into an upper region and a lower region, saidupper region having a greater maximum extension along the transverseaxis than the maximum extension of the lower region along saidtransverse axis.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a maleincontinence guard having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinalaxis and a transverse extension along a transverse axis, said transverseaxis dividing said guard into an upper region and a lower region. Themethod comprises: providing a fluid-impermeable backsheet; providing afluid-permeable topsheet; and providing an absorbent body between saidbacksheet and said topsheet.

BACKGROUND

Absorbent articles, for example in the form of incontinence guards, babydiapers and sanitary napkins, are well known. The general purpose ofsuch absorbent articles is to absorb, distribute and store various typesof body exudates while providing a high level of comfort and sense ofdryness to the wearer during use of the absorbent article. Also, suchabsorbent articles prevent the wearer from getting the clothes soiled bybody exudates.

Absorbent articles in the form of incontinence guards are used toprotect a wearer against urine leakage. As regards male incontinenceguards, such articles are obviously configured for male users and aredesigned to cover the genital organs so as to protect against unwantedurine leakage. Male persons who are otherwise not physically handicappedwill normally prefer not to use an incontinence guard in the form ofdiaper, since it is considered to be bulky and too large to wear andcannot always be used together with conventional clothing. Instead,special male incontinence guards which are intended for men with lightincontinence have been developed. Such incontinence guards arerelatively thin and shaped in a manner so as to cover the male genitalorgans during use. Such incontinence guards can be designed with anabsorption capacity which is sufficient in order to absorb the fluidthat is expected to be released into the absorbent article when it isworn.

A previously known male incontinence guard of the above-mentioned typeis known from the patent document WO 86/06620.

As regards male incontinence guards, there exist certain requirements.Obviously, an incontinence guard should be designed so as to be worninside a user's ordinary underwear and to provide protection againstlight urine leakage. For this reason, known male incontinence guards areshaped to provide an optimal fit to the user's undergarment and body.Also, such incontinence guards comprise a core of absorbent materialarranged along a longitudinal axis of the product in order to absorburine.

Furthermore, a male incontinence guard normally comprises a softtopsheet in order to give the wearer a feeling of freshness and dryness.The guard should also be relatively thin and should be designed with adiscreet shape so that it is generally not visible through the wearer'sregular clothes during use. Finally, it can be provided with suitableadhesive means, allowing it to be attached to the wearer's underwear.The guard also should be easily bent and shaped so as to follow theanatomy of the wearer during use.

Even though the article disclosed in WO 86/06620 fulfills the basicrequirement regarding protection against light urine leakage, there is aneed for further improvements within this field of technology. Firstly,there is a demand for male incontinence guards of a kind which can besecurely fitted and held in place in the undergarments of male personsof different anatomy. In particular, in an embodiment the incontinenceguard must be positioned so that it extends from below the user's bellyand downwards so as to cover the genital organs in a secure manner.

Secondly, it is required in an embodiment that the incontinence guardmust assume a correct, intended shape when it is in place, so as toprovide the intended protection against incontinence, even in situationswhen the user is moving around and when the user is sitting down andstanding up.

It has been found that known male incontinence guards are not alwayssuited for a correct fitting under the belly of the user and that theynot always assume the correct, intended shape when it is in place. Thismeans that optimum incontinence protection is not always guaranteed.

Furthermore, there exist requirements relating to cost-effectivemanufacturing methods for incontinence guards.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a male incontinenceguard which is configured so as to solve the above-mentioned problemsrelated to prior art within this field. In particular, the incontinenceguard is configured so as to secure an optimal fit for the wearer in itsintended position during use.

In accordance with the invention, this object is obtained by means of amale incontinence guard comprising a fluid-impermeable backsheet, afluid-permeable topsheet and an absorbent body arranged between saidbacksheet and said topsheet, wherein said topsheet faces the user whenthe incontinence guard is worn by said user, said guard having alongitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis and a transverseextension along a transverse axis, said transverse axis dividing saidguard into an upper region and a lower region, said upper region havinga greater maximum extension along the transverse axis than the maximumextension of the lower region along said transverse axis. Furthermore,said absorbent body comprises a primary core and a secondary corearranged in a stacked configuration, wherein said primary core has anarea in an XY plane which is greater that the area of said secondarycore, and in that the secondary core is formed with side edges being atleast partly generally parallel to said longitudinal axis.

The invention provides certain advantages. Firstly, the inventionfulfills the requirements on incontinence guards to be securely fittedand held in place in the undergarments of male persons of differentanatomy. Secondly, the invention leads to advantages in manufacturing ofincontinence guards, since the secondary core is formed with side edgeswhich are at least partly generally parallel to said longitudinal axis.Such an embodiment is advantageous during manufacturing of saidincontinence guard, since it allows a precise and efficient folding ofeach guard during a manufacturing process.

According to an embodiment, the side edges are configured as foldinglines for folding said guard in a transverse direction of said guard.

According to a further embodiment, the length of said generally parallelside edges are within the interval 10-70%, preferably 15-60% and mostpreferably 20-50% of the maximum extension of the male incontinenceguard in its longitudinal direction.

According to a further embodiment, the width of the secondary corebetween said generally parallel side edges are within the interval25-60% and preferably 35-55% of the maximum width of the guard.

According to an embodiment, the primary core has an outer edge whichgenerally follows the outer edge of the guard and defines an edge regionhaving a width which is generally equal along the entire outer edge ofthe guard.

According to an embodiment, the transverse axis extends between a firstlower corner point and a second lower corner point which define twooutermost points of said guard between which said guard has a firstwidth; said upper region comprising an inwardly recessed curvatureportion extending between a first upper corner point and a second uppercorner point and having an arcuate shape, said upper corner pointsdefining a second width; wherein the first width is greater than thesecond width, and wherein said first lower corner point and first uppercorner point and said second lower corner point and second upper cornerpoint, respectively, are connected by outer side edges.

It has been found that the provision of the above-mentioned inwardlyrecessed curvature portion allows the incontinence guard to bepositioned so that it extends from below the user's belly and downwardsso as to cover the genital organs in a secure manner. In particular, thegeometry of the incontinence guard according to the invention, asdefined by means of the above-mentioned upper and lower corner pointswill provide a secure positioning of the guard even when the user issitting down and standing up repeatedly, while at the same timeproviding the intended protection against incontinence.

According to an embodiment, the incontinence guard is formed with atapering shape as regarded from the lower corner points and along thelower region. This makes it possible to position the guard in a correctmanner over the male genital organs during use.

According to a further embodiment, the inwardly recessed curvatureportion as mentioned defines an outer boundary edge which extendsbetween said upper corner points and wherein said outer boundary edgelies inwardly of an imaginary transverse line extending between saidupper corner points. The outer boundary edge has a radius which is inthe range of 60-1400 mm.

Also, the relationship between the first width and the second width isin the range of 30-80%. According to an embodiment, the first width isin the range of 110-280 mm. Also, the second width is in the rangeof50-151 mm.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the ratio between a distancedefined by an imaginary longitudinal line, being parallel to saidlongitudinal axis and extending from any one of said upper corner pointsto said transversal axis, and a distance extending from any one of saidlower corner points to said longitudinal line, is in the range of0.25-4.0.

According to a further embodiment, a straight line is defined asextending through a lower corner point and an upper corner point,wherein an angle is defined between said straight line and saidimaginary longitudinal line, said angle being in the range of 12-78degrees.

According to a further embodiment, a measurement is defined as thedistance between said straight line and the maximum outer extension ofsaid incontinence guard, said measurement being in the range of 2-10 mm,or wherein said measurement is less than 25% of the distance betweenfirst lower corner point and the first upper corner point.

According to a further embodiment, a maximum recess depth d3 of saidinwardly recessed curvature portion does not extend below saidtransversal axis. Preferably, in an embodiment, said maximum recessdepth d3 is the range of 2-30 mm.

According to an embodiment, the lower region comprises a lower edgehaving a convex arcuate shape with a radius defining a ratio of 0.9-1.1to said radius of said inwardly recessed curvature portion.

According to an embodiment, at least one of said primary core and saidsecondary core comprises superabsorbent material.

According to an embodiment, said guard is arranged having elasticizedelements arranged along an outer edge of the lower region, along theouter edges of said lower region.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned object of the invention is obtained bymeans of a method for manufacturing a male incontinence guard having alongitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis and a transverseextension along a transverse axis, said transverse axis dividing saidguard into an upper region and a lower region, said method comprising:providing a fluid-impermeable backsheet; providing a fluid-permeabletopsheet; and providing an absorbent body between said backsheet andsaid topsheet. Furthermore, the method comprises the following steps:providing said absorbent body by arranging a primary absorbent core anda secondary absorbent core in a stacked configuration, wherein saidprimary core has an area in an XY plane which is greater that the areaof said secondary core; folding a first portion of the incontinenceguard towards the centre of said incontinence guard and folding a secondportion of the incontinence guard towards the centre of saidincontinence guard so that it at least partly covers the first portion,wherein said folding is carried out in a transverse direction of saidguard and along folding lines defined by side edges of said secondarycore which are at least partly generally parallel to said longitudinalaxis; and folding a bottom portion upwards so as to partly cover boththe first portion and the second portion.

Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention aredisclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail below with referenceto the figures shown in the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a view from above of a male incontinence guard according toan embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the male incontinence guard,taken along the line II in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a process for folding the male incontinence guard during amanufacturing process, in a first process step,

FIG. 4 shows a process for folding the male incontinence guard during amanufacturing process, in a second process step, and

FIG. 5 shows a process for folding the male incontinence guard during amanufacturing process, in a third process step.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

Different aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the enclosed drawings. The embodimentsdisclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms andshould not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forthherein.

With initial reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a view from above of anabsorbent article in the form of a male incontinence guard 1 inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. The male incontinenceguard 1 is an incontinence protector article which is designed andoptimized to absorb light urine leakage for male users. For this reason,and as will be described in detail below, the incontinence guard 1 isbased on an absorbent structure for rapidly wicking away urine from thewearer in order to provide a dry, comfortable and odor-free feeling forthe wearer.

FIG. 1 shows the incontinence guard 1 in a view from above, from whichcan be understood that it comprises a fluid impermeable backsheet 2 anda fluid permeable topsheet 3. The incontinence guard 1 also comprises anabsorbent core 4 which is sandwiched between the backsheet 2 and thetopsheet 3. As will be described in greater detail below, the absorbentcore 4 is constituted by two absorbent layers, i.e. in the form of aprimary absorbent core 4′ and a secondary absorbent core 4″, wherein thesecondary absorbent core 4″ has an area which is less than the primaryabsorbent core 4′.

The topsheet 3 is arranged at the surface, i.e. the side facing awearer, of the incontinence guard 1. The backsheet 2 is arranged at theunderside of the incontinence guard 1, i.e. facing an undergarment ofthe wearer. Furthermore, both the backsheet 2 and the topsheet 3 extendlaterally outside of the absorbent core 4 along the whole perimeter ofthe incontinence guard 1. The topsheet 3, backsheet 2 and the absorbentcore 4 may be comprised of any materials suitable for their particularpurposes, as will be discussed in further detail below. According tofurther embodiments, one or more additional layers may be provided inthe incontinence guard 1. For example, an acquisition layer may bearranged between the absorbent core 4 and the topsheet 3.

The above-mentioned layers of the incontinence guard 1 may be connectedto each other by any conventional means such as by means of an adhesive,heat bonding or ultrasonic bonding.

As shown in FIG. 1, the incontinence guard 1 has a longitudinalextension along a longitudinal axis Y1 and a transverse extension alonga transverse axis X1. The transverse axis X1 divides the incontinenceguard 1 into an upper region 5 and a lower region 6, as regarded whenbeing worn by a user. This means that the upper region 5 is intended tobe oriented upwards towards the user's belly during use of theincontinence guard 1, whereas the lower region 6 is intended to befacing downwards to cover the genital organs of the wearer during use.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view as taken along transversal axis X1shown in FIG. 1. The various layers 2, 3, 4′, 4″ which form part of theincontinence guard 1 will now be described more in detail, withreference primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2.

According to an embodiment, the backsheet 2 is constituted by afluid-impermeable and breathable layer such as a polymeric film, forexample a film of polyethylene or polypropylene. According to differentembodiments, the materials which can be used for manufacturing thebacksheet 2 include thin and flexible fluid impermeable plastic films,or fluid impermeable nonwoven materials, fluid impermeable foams andfluid impermeable laminates.

According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the backsheet 2 isformed by a single layer, but can alternatively be formed by amulti-layered structure, i.e. a laminate, wherein at least one layer isfluid impermeable. Furthermore, the backsheet 2 can optionally beelastic in any direction. Also, backsheet materials that are not fullyfluid impermeable but only resistant to fluid penetration may be used,particularly in cases where relatively small amounts of urine areexpected to be absorbed by the incontinence guard 1. According tofurther embodiments, the backsheet 2 may be breathable, implying thatair and vapor may pass through the backsheet 2. Furthermore, thebacksheet 2 may optionally have an outer, garment-facing surface of atextile material such as nonwoven.

Furthermore, the topsheet 3 is according to an embodiment formed by afluid permeable nonwoven fabric or film which is made of thermoplasticsynthetic fibers. The topsheet 3 is sufficiently fluid permeable toallow discharged body fluids such as urine to penetrate through thethickness of the topsheet 3. Also, the topsheet 3 is suitablymanufactured from a material which is compliant and soft-feeling to theskin of the wearer.

According to different embodiments, the topsheet 3 may be manufacturedfrom various web materials such as woven and nonwoven webs and films,foams, or combinations of the above-mentioned materials. The nonwovenmaterials to be used for the topsheet 3 may be for example carded resinbonded materials, carded through-air bonded materials,spunbond-meltbond-spunbond materials, carded hydroentangled materials orcarded thermobonded materials. The topsheet 3 may also have elasticproperties which allow it to be stretchable.

According to an additional embodiment, the topsheet 3 may be in the formof a perforated plastic film which then serves as a liquid-permeablesheet.

As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rear side of the backsheet 2 isprovided with fastening means for fastening the incontinence guard 1inside an undergarment (not shown). The fastening means may be in theform of one or several adhesive sections 7 which are arranged on therear side of the backsheet 2 and which are arranged to extend in amanner which is parallel or nonparallel in relation to the longitudinalaxis Y1. As shown in FIG. 2, the adhesive sections 7 are covered with arelease paper layer 8 when the incontinence guard 1 is in its non-usedcondition. When the guard 1 is to be used, the release paper layer 8 isremoved by the user so that the guard 1 can be fastened to theundergarment.

According to alternative embodiments, the incontinence guard 1 can beprovided with various types of fastening means in the form of frictionalfasteners, mechanical fasteners such as the hook-and-loop fastener typeor combinations of different types of fasteners, as known in the art.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, theincontinence guard 1 comprises an absorbent core 4 which is formed bythe primary absorbent core 4′ and the secondary absorbent core 4″. Theprimary core 4′ and the secondary core 4″ are arranged in a stackedconfiguration. According to the embodiment, this means that thesecondary core 4″ is arranged on top of the primary core 4′, i.e. sothat the secondary core 4″ is closest to the wearer's body during use ofthe incontinence guard 1′. Alternatively, the secondary absorbent coremay be placed beneath the primary absorbent core, i.e. so that theprimary absorbent core is closest to the wearer's body during use of theincontinence guard.

One of or both cores 4′, 4″ may comprise fibres of cellulosic fluffpulp. According to alternative embodiments, the cores 4′, 4″ can be madeup of any suitable absorbent or fluid-absorbing material as known in theart, for example foam, fiber waddings, cellulose free SAP-laminates, andsimilar materials.

According to a further embodiment, each absorbent core 4′, 4″ comprise asuitable amount of superabsorbent particles. Such superabsorbentmaterial is well known in the field of absorbent articles, and isconstituted by a water-swellable and water-insoluble material which iscapable of absorbing large quantities of fluid upon formation of ahydrogel. Normal superabsorbent materials are capable of absorbingfluids of at least 10 times its own weight. According to an embodiment,the amount of said superabsorbent particles in each of the cores 4′, 4″is independently at least 10% by weight, such as at least 25, such as atleast 50%, for example at least 75% and up to 100%, i.e. in relation tothe total weight of the respective absorbent core 4′, 4″.

The superabsorbents are mixed into the material of the absorbent core 4,i.e. into either one or both of the primary core 4′ and the secondarycore 4″, or are arranged as a layer fixed to a substrate by means of abinder or fixation layer. The absorbent core 4 may further incorporatecomponents for improving its properties. Some examples of suchcomponents are binder fibers, fluid-dispersing materials, fluidacquisition materials, etc. as known in the art. According to anembodiment, a mixture of cellulose fluff pulp and superabsorbentarticles is mixed in a generally homogeneous manner throughout theentire absorbent core 4.

In one embodiment, the amount of superabsorbent particles in relation tothe total weight of the absorbent core differs between the primary core4′ and the secondary absorbent core 4″. For example, the amount of superabsorbent particles in relation to the total weight of the core in thesecondary absorbent core 4″ may be higher, such as at least 25%, such asat least 50% or at least 100% higher than then amount of superabsorbentparticles in the primary core 4′,

According to further embodiments, the absorbent core 4 may be a layeredstructure with laminates of the same or different materials. Theabsorbent layers, i.e. the two cores 4′, 4″, may have uniform thicknessor may vary in thickness in different parts of the layers. Also, thebasis weight and composition of the absorbent core 4 may vary withinsuch absorbent layers.

FIG. 1 shows a view of the side of the incontinence guard 1 that isintended to be facing towards a wearer's body when the incontinenceguard 1 is being worn. It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the incontinenceguard 1 according to the embodiment has a shape which is generallytriangular and which is tapered along its lower region 6. This meansthat, for instance, the corners and sides of the incontinence guard 1may be more or less rounded, as shown in FIG. 1.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the backsheet 2 and the topsheet 3 areconnected to each other along an edge region 9 which extends around theperimeter of the incontinence guard 1. The primary core 4′ is of a sizehaving an area which is slightly smaller than the area of the backsheet2 and the topsheet 3. According to an embodiment, the edge region 9 hassubstantially the same width along the entire perimeter of theincontinence guard 1. In other words, the primary core 4′ is arranged tofollow the perimeter of the incontinence guard 1 so that the distancebetween the outer edge of the primary core 4′ and the outer edge of theguard 1 remains generally equal along the edge region 9.

Furthermore, the secondary core 4″ is formed with side edges 28, 29which are at least partly generally parallel to the longitudinal axisY1. The side edges 28, 28 are connected to a tapering section of thesecondary core 4″ which has its end region relatively close to the edgeof the lower region 6 as shown in FIG. 1. As will be described below, apurpose of the configuration with the side edges 28, 29 is to simplify amanufacturing process when the guard 1 is folded transversely.

The male incontinence guard 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIG.1 is arranged so that the transverse axis X1 extends between a firstlower corner point 10 and a second lower corner point 11. These lowercorner points 10, 11 define two outermost points of the incontinenceguard 1 along the transverse axis X1. The distance between these lowercorner points 10, 11, i.e. the maximum width of the incontinence guard1, is defined by a first width w1 as indicated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, it should be pointed out that, according todifferent embodiments, the lower corner points 10, 11 can be constitutedby different shape and roundness, for example a softly rounded shape ora more sharply pointed corner shape.

Furthermore, the upper region 5 comprises an inwardly recessed curvatureportion 12 which extends between a first upper corner point 13 and asecond upper corner point 14. The curvature portion 12 has a generallyarcuate shape which extends into the upper region 5. Also, the distancebetween the upper corner points 13, 14 along the transversal directionis defined by a second width w2.

The first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13 areconnected by a first outer side edge 15 which according to theembodiment has an outwardly and slightly rounded shape. An imaginarystraight line 16, which extends through the first lower corner point 10and the first upper corner point 13, can also be defined. In a similarmanner, the second lower corner point 11 and the second upper cornerpoint 14 are connected by a second outer side edge 17 which also has anoutwardly and slightly rounded shape. The first and second outer sideedges 15, 17 extend outwards as regarded along the direction of thetransverse axis X1, i.e. from the upper corner points 13, 14 to thelower corner points 10, 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first width w1 is greater than the second widthw2, i.e. the lower corner points 10, 11 define the laterally outermostpoints of the incontinence guard 1.

In summary, the male incontinence guard 1 according to the disclosedembodiment is configured so that the transverse axis X1 extends betweenthe first lower corner point 10 and the second lower corner point 11,which consequently define two laterally extending and outermost pointsof the guard 1. Between these end points 10, 11, the guard 1 has a firstwidth w1 as seen along the transverse direction. Also, the upper region5 comprises the inwardly recessed curvature portion 12 which extendsbetween the first upper corner point 13 and the second upper cornerpoint 14. The curvature portion 12 has an arcuate shape in a manner sothat the upper corner points 13, 14 define a second width w2 in thetransverse direction. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the firstwidth w1 is greater than the second width w2. Also, the first lowercorner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13, and also the secondlower corner point 11 and the second upper corner point 14,respectively, are connected by the outer side edges 15, 17. These outerside edges 15, 17 are shown in FIG. 1 as softly rounded edges, but canalternatively also be formed by generally straight edges.

The purpose of the configuration of the incontinence guard 1 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 is to contribute to its advantageous properties regardinga secure and comfortable fit for the user, while maintaining adequateabsorption properties and also allowing a cost-effective manufacturingprocess.

The incontinence guard 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 issymmetrical with reference to the longitudinal axis Y1. Also, the guard1 has a tapering shape as regarded from the lower corner points 10, 11and downwards along the lower region 6. Furthermore, the lower region 6is according to the embodiment in FIG. 1 formed with generally straightsides. Alternatively, the sides of the lower region may have a convexshape, i.e. curved slightly outwardly.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the above-mentionedinwardly recessed curvature portion 12 defines an outer boundary edge 18which extends between the two upper corner points 13, 14. The outerboundary edge 18 lies inwardly of an imaginary transverse line X2 whichis generally parallel to the transverse axis X1 and extends between theupper corner points 13, 14.

With reference to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be notedthat the outer boundary edge 18 has a radius r1 which is in the range of60-1400 mm, preferably in the range of 120-500 mm.

Also, the ratio between the value of the first width w1 and the value ofthe second width w2 is in the range of 30-80%, preferably in the rangeof 40-75%. Regarding the actual measurements of the first width w1 andthe second width w2, it can be noted that the first width w1 is in therange of 110-280 mm. Also, the second width (w2) is in the range of50-151 mm.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the ratio between a distance d1defined by an imaginary longitudinal line Y2 as shown in FIG. 1, andbeing parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1 and extending from any one ofsaid upper corner points 13, 14 to the transversal axis X1, and adistance d2 extending from any one of said lower corner points 10, 11 tosaid imaginary longitudinal line Y2, is in the range of 0.25-4.0,preferably in the range of 0.5-2.0.

With further reference to FIG. 1, a straight line 16 can be defined asextending through the first lower corner point 10 and the first uppercorner point 13. An angle α can then be defined between said straightline 16 and the above-mentioned imaginary longitudinal line Y2. Theangle α is in the range of 12-78 degrees, preferably in the range of22-68 degrees.

Furthermore, as shown in the drawings, the lower region 6 of the maleincontinence guard 1 may comprise a lower edge 19 which has a convexarcuate shape with a radius r2 defining a ratio of 0.9-1.1 to the radiusr1 of said inwardly recessed curvature portion 12.

Furthermore, the invention can alternatively be arranged so that theinwardly recessed curvature portion 12 has a geometry which is notequivalent to a circle, i.e. so that it cannot be defined by means of aradius. In such case, a maximum recess depth d3 of the inwardly recessedcurvature portion 12 can be defined. According to an embodiment, thecurvature portion 12 does not extend below said transversal axis X1.Furthermore, the maximum recess depth d3 is the range of 2-30 mm,preferably in the range of 2-20 mm.

Yet another measurement d4 can be defined as the distance between theabove-mentioned straight line 16 extending through the first lowercorner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13 and the maximumextension of the upper left corner of the incontinence guard 1, as shownin FIG. 1. According to an embodiment, the distance d4 is in the rangeof 2-10 mm. Another way of defining this distance d4 is by stating thatsaid distance d4 is less than 25% of the distance between first lowercorner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13.

As mentioned above, the male incontinence guard 1 as shown in thedrawings is provided with an absorbent body 4 including a primary core4′ which has an outer edge which generally follows the outer edge of theguard 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer edge defines an edge region 9which has a width which is generally equal along the entire outer edgeof the guard 1.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, theincontinence guard 1 comprises elasticized elements 20 which arearranged along the outer edge 9 of the lower region 6. In an embodiment,the elasticized elements 20 are preferably in the form of an elasticizedfilm which is attached to the incontinence guard 1. According toalternative embodiments, the elasticized elements 20 can be in the formof elastic threads, an elastic foam or an elastic laminate attached tosaid guard 1.

A process for manufacturing the male incontinence guard 1 describedabove comprises a number of steps which will now be described.Initially, the absorbent core 4 is sandwiched between the backsheet 2and the topsheet 3 in a manner which is known as such. Subsequently, theincontinence guard 1 is folded in a manner which will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

Firstly, with reference to FIG. 3, a first (left in the figure) portion21 of the incontinence guard 1 is folded towards the centre of the guard1 so that a first fold line 22 is defined extending essentially parallelto the longitudinal centrerline Y1 and on the first side of thelongitudinal centerline Y1. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, a second (right inthe figure) portion 23 of the incontinence guard 1 is folded towards thecentre of the guard, so that a second fold line 24 is defined, extendingessentially parallel to the longitudinal centerline Y1 and positioned onthe opposite side of the centerline from the first fold line 22, in amanner so as to partly cover an outer part of the left portion 21.

In the aforementioned folding steps, the side edges 28, 29 of thesecondary core 4″ may be used to be configured as, or define the foldinglines 22, 24 in such a way that the edges 28, 29 are used as a support,a stiffened structure, to facilitate the folding process and to help inobtaining folding lines 22, 24 that are essentially parallel to thelongitudinal centerline. Further, in an embodiment the folding ispreferably effected at, or close to, the side edges but such that thesecondary core is not folded over itself, thereby reducing the thicknessof the folded article and facilitating any subsequent folding step(s)and packaging of the folded articles

Finally, as shown in FIG. 5, a bottom portion 25 is folded upwards alonga fold line essentially parallel to the transversal centerline X1 so asto partly cover both the left portion 21 and the right portion 23.During this process, it is also secured that the bottom portion 25 isfolded upwards towards the top edge 26 of the incontinence guard 1.There may be a gap formed by the distance between the top edge 26 of theincontinence guard 1 and the edge 27 of the bottom portion 25, asdefined by the distance d5 shown in FIG. 5.

In a folded condition, the top edge 26 may extend beyond the edge 27 ofthe bottom portion (giving d5 a positive number), as shown in the FIG.5, or alternatively, the edge 27 of the bottom portion may extend beyondthe top edge 26 (not shown in the FIG. 5, giving the d5 a negativevalue) According to an embodiment, this distance d5 is up to ±30 mm,preferably up to ±10 mm. By folding the incontinence guard 1 as shown inFIGS. 3-5, an advantage is obtained due to the fact that the upper partof the folded incontinence guard 1 will be thinner than the remainingparts of the product, which means that it will be easy for a user togrip the product in a package and to bring it out of the package.

Preferably, in an embodiment, a plurality of incontinence guards 1 arefirst folded, individually wrapped, suitably in an individual plasticwrapping, and then positioned in a suitable configuration in a packagingunit (not shown in the drawings) such as a plastic or paper bag or box.This configuration corresponds to a plurality of guards 1 folded in amanner such as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention in which two absorbent coresare used, i.e. a primary absorbent core 4′ and a secondary absorbentcore 4″. As mentioned, this arrangement is particularly intended tosimplify the above-mentioned manufacturing process, i.e. with regard tothe folding procedure described with reference to FIGS. 3-5. To thisend, the secondary absorbent core 4″ is formed with side edges 28, 29which at least partly generally parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1.Also, according to a further embodiment, the positions of the side edges28, 29 correspond essentially to the folding lines 22, 24 shown forexample in FIG. 4 and being described above, i.e. for folding said guard1 in a transverse direction of said guard 1.

According to an embodiment, the length of the side edges 28, 29 arewithin the interval 10-70%, preferably 15-60% and most preferably 20-50%of the maximum extension of the male incontinence guard 1 in itslongitudinal direction. Also, the width of the secondary core 4″ betweensaid generally parallel side edges 28, 29 are within the interval 25-60%and preferably35-55% of the maximum width of the guard 1.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment but can be varied withinthe scope of the appended claims. For example, the particular shape ofthe incontinence guard 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 should not beconsidered as limiting the invention. Also, the shape of the guard 1 ofthe invention may be symmetrical about a transverse centre line throughthe article, as shown in FIG. 1, or may be asymmetrical with endportions having differing shapes and/or differing sizes.

Furthermore, the materials and dimensions used for the different layersforming the absorbent article 1 can be varied, as indicated above.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A male incontinence guard comprising afluid-impermeable backsheet, a fluid-permeable topsheet and an absorbentbody arranged between said backsheet and said topsheet, wherein saidtopsheet faces the user when the incontinence guard is worn by saiduser, said guard having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinalaxis (Y1) and a transverse extension along a transverse axis (X1), saidtransverse axis (X1) dividing said guard into an upper region and alower region, said upper region having a greater maximum extension alongthe transverse axis (X1) than the maximum extension of the lower regionalong said transverse axis (X1), said absorbent body comprising aprimary core and a secondary core arranged in a stacked configuration,wherein said primary core has an area in an XY plane which is greaterthat the area of said secondary core, and the secondary core is formedwith side edges being at least partly generally parallel to saidlongitudinal axis (Y1), wherein the length of each of said generallyparallel side edges is within an interval of 10-70% of a maximumextension of the incontinence guard in a longitudinal direction of theincontinence guard.
 2. A male incontinence guard according to claim 1,wherein said side edges define folding lines for folding said guard in atransverse direction of said guard.
 3. A male incontinence guardaccording to claim 1, wherein the length of each of said generallyparallel side edges is within an interval of 15-60% of the maximumextension of the incontinence guard in the longitudinal direction of theincontinence guard.
 4. A male incontinence guard according to claim 1,wherein a width of said secondary core between said generally parallelside edges is within the interval 25-60% of a maximum width of theguard.
 5. A male incontinence guard according to claim 1, wherein saidprimary core has an outer edge which generally follows an outer edge ofthe guard and defines an edge region having a width which is generallyequal along the entire outer edge of the guard.
 6. A male incontinenceguard according to claim 1, wherein said transverse axis (X1) extendsbetween a first lower corner point and a second lower corner point whichdefine two outermost points of said guard between which said guard has afirst width (w1); said upper region comprising an inwardly recessedcurvature portion extending between a first upper corner point and asecond upper corner point and having an arcuate shape, said first andsecond upper corner points defining a second width (w2); wherein thefirst width (w1) is greater than the second width (w2), and wherein saidfirst lower corner point and first upper corner point and said secondlower corner point and second upper corner point, respectively, areconnected by outer side edges.
 7. A male incontinence guard according toclaim 6, said guard being formed with a tapering shape as regarded fromthe first and second lower corner points and along the lower region. 8.A male incontinence guard according to claim 6, wherein the second width(w2) is in the range of 30-80% of the first width (w1).
 9. A maleincontinence guard according to claim 6, wherein the first width (w1) isin the range of 110-280 mm.
 10. A male incontinence guard according toclaim 6, wherein the second width (w2) is in the range of 50-151 mm. 11.A male incontinence guard according to claim 6, wherein a ratio betweena distance (d1) defined by an imaginary longitudinal line (Y2), beingparallel to said longitudinal axis (Y1) and extending from any one ofsaid first or second upper corner points to said transversal axis (X1),and a distance (d2) extending from any one of said first or second lowercorner points to said longitudinal line (Y2), is in the range of0.25-4.0.
 12. A male incontinence guard according to claim 11, wherein astraight line is defined as extending through a lower corner point andan upper corner point, and wherein an angle (α) is defined between saidstraight line and said imaginary longitudinal line (Y2), said angle (α)being in the range of 12-78 degrees.
 13. A male incontinence guardaccording to claim 12, wherein a measurement (d4) is defined as thedistance between said straight line and the maximum outer extension ofsaid incontinence guard, said measurement (d4) being in the range of2-10 mm, or wherein said measurement (d4) is less than 25% of thedistance between first lower corner point and the first upper cornerpoint.
 14. A male incontinence guard according to claim 6, wherein amaximum recess depth (d3) of said inwardly recessed curvature portiondoes not extend below said transversal axis (X1).
 15. A maleincontinence guard according to claim 14, wherein said maximum recessdepth (d3) is the range of 2-30 mm.
 16. A male incontinence guardaccording to claim 6, wherein said lower region of said guard comprisesa lower edge having a convex arcuate shape with a radius (r2) defining aratio of 0.9-1.1 to said radius (r1) of said inwardly recessed curvatureportion.
 17. A male incontinence guard according to claim 6, whereinsaid outer side edges are generally straight.
 18. A male incontinenceguard according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said primary coreand said secondary core comprises superabsorbent material.
 19. A maleincontinence guard according to claim 18, wherein said superabsorbentmaterial is a superabsorbent polymer.
 20. A male incontinence guardaccording to claim 18, wherein said superabsorbent material is in theform of a foam.
 21. A male incontinence guard according to claim 1,wherein said guard is arranged having elasticized elements arrangedalong an outer edge of the lower region, along the outer edges of saidlower region.
 22. A male incontinence guard according to claim 21,wherein said elasticized elements are in the form of an elasticized filmattached to said guard.
 23. A male incontinence guard according to claim21, wherein said elasticized elements are in the form of elastic threadsattached to said guard.
 24. A male incontinence guard according to claim21, wherein said elasticized elements are in the form of an elastic foamattached to said guard.
 25. A male incontinence guard according to claim21, wherein said elasticized elements are in the form of an elasticlaminate attached to said guard.
 26. The male incontinence guardaccording to claim 1, wherein the length of each of said generallyparallel side edges is within an interval of 20-50% of the maximumextension of the incontinence guard in the longitudinal direction of theincontinence guard.
 27. A male incontinence guard comprising afluid-impermeable backsheet, a fluid-permeable topsheet and an absorbentbody arranged between said backsheet and said topsheet, wherein saidtopsheet faces the user when the incontinence guard is worn by saiduser, said guard having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinalaxis (Y1) and a transverse extension along a transverse axis (X1), saidtransverse axis (X1) dividing said guard into an upper region and alower region, said upper region having a greater maximum extension alongthe transverse axis (X1) than the maximum extension of the lower regionalong said transverse axis (X1), said absorbent body comprising aprimary core and a secondary core arranged in a stacked configuration,wherein said primary core has an area in an XY plane which is greaterthat the area of said secondary core, and the secondary core is formedwith side edges being at least partly generally parallel to saidlongitudinal axis (Y1), wherein said transverse axis (X1) extendsbetween a first lower corner point and a second lower corner point whichdefine two outermost points of said guard between which said guard has afirst width (w1); said upper region comprising an inwardly recessedcurvature portion extending between a first upper corner point and asecond upper corner point and having an arcuate shape, said first andsecond upper corner points defining a second width (w2); wherein thefirst width (w1) is greater than the second width (w2), and wherein saidfirst lower corner point and first upper corner point and said secondlower corner point and second upper corner point, respectively, areconnected by outer side edges, and wherein said inwardly recessedcurvature portion defines an outer boundary edge extending between saidfirst and second upper corner points and wherein said outer boundaryedge lies inwardly of an imaginary transverse line (X2) extendingbetween said first and second upper corner points.
 28. A maleincontinence guard according to claim 27, wherein said outer boundaryedge has a radius (r1) which is in the range of 60-1400 mm.
 29. A methodfor manufacturing a male incontinence guard having a longitudinalextension along a longitudinal axis (Y1) and a transverse extensionalong a transverse axis (X1), said transverse axis (X1) dividing saidguard into an upper region and a lower region, said method comprising:providing a fluid-impermeable backsheet; providing a fluid-permeabletopsheet; providing an absorbent body between said backsheet and saidtopsheet, by arranging a primary absorbent core and a secondaryabsorbent core in a stacked configuration, wherein said primary core hasan area in an XY plane which is greater that the area of said secondarycore, wherein side edges of said secondary core are at least partlygenerally parallel to said longitudinal axis (Y1), and wherein thelength of each of said generally parallel side edges is within aninterval of 10-70% of a maximum extension of the incontinence guard in alongitudinal direction of the male incontinence guard; folding a firstportion of the incontinence guard towards the centre of saidincontinence guard and folding a second portion of the incontinenceguard towards the centre of said incontinence guard so that it at leastpartly covers the first portion, wherein said folding is carried out ina transverse direction of said guard and along the folding lines definedby the side edges of said secondary core which are at least partlygenerally parallel to said longitudinal axis (Y1); and folding a bottomportion of the incontinence guard upwards so as to partly cover both thefirst portion and the second portion.
 30. The method according to claim29, wherein said bottom portion is folded while forming a distance (d5)between a top edge of the incontinence guard and an upper edge of thebottom portion, said distance (d5) being up to 30 mm.
 31. A package of aplurality of individually wrapped absorbent articles, said articlesbeing manufactured in accordance with claim
 29. 32. The method accordingto claim 29, wherein the length of each of said generally parallel sideedges is within an interval of 15-60% of the maximum extension of theincontinence guard in the longitudinal direction of the incontinenceguard.
 33. The method according to claim 29, wherein the length of eachof said generally parallel side edges is within an interval of 20-50% ofthe maximum extension of the incontinence guard in the longitudinaldirection of the incontinence guard.